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my biggest regrets {and a linkup announcement}

I'm usually a happy-go-lucky person who considers herself an optimist- I believe that everything happens for a reason. And I've tried hard to not have any regrets, but I do. It's hard not to have them, you know. Sure there is no way that you can go back in time and change what happened at a particular moment, but sometimes dwelling over the past is better than worrying about the future. Plus mistakes are a great learning opportunity.

And talking about them may help someone else avoid the same mistake. Or at the very least lend some guidance.

I don't exactly have a thousand regrets... but I do have five major ones. Ones that if life had gone the either way, would mean that I most likely wouldn't be where I am now.

1 // Getting addicted to credit cards and how much crap I could buy with them.

When used wrong, credit cards are the freakin' devil. Sure, they are great to build up credit, but you need to use them the right way. I, on the other hand, did not. As soon as I turned 18, I had two Visa's, a Master Card, a JCP card, a Target card, and a Victoria's Secret card that fit perfectly into my wallet. I thank the lord every day that I was illiterate in the world of Coach, or I would have been in bigger trouble. I did wind up playing off my cards TWICE... student loans, remember... and my credit was getting better. Until I graduated and my student loans came into repayment...

Anyways, the moral of the story is that I am getting better with my spending and charging things- if I don't have the money in the bank- I generally don't buy it. I wish someone would have taught me financial independence at a younger age.

2 // Taking out so much money in student loans.

I was young, I was naive, and I thought I was getting "free" money. I truly thought that I would graduate college, get that amazing job, and be making more money than I had an idea what to do with. I was wrong. I wish I would have taken out as much as I actually needed, and nothing more. And I wish someone had educated me on that fact.

Btw, does anyone know how much a kidney or ovary is going for on the black market? My loan payment's due next week.

3 // Not going away to college.

During my senior year of high school, I was dative a guy who had family that lived in Indy. He talked me into applying at IUPUI, but when it came time for me to actually apply, he told me that he didn't want to move to Indy, and talked me into staying at home to go to a community college. I agreed. Needless to say, the relationship didn't work out, and it took me eight years to finish my undergrad (You don't even want to ask me how much that little relationship actually cost me).

4 // Putting others before school.
During my undergrad, I put a new relationship before my schooling and ultimately paid the price... I failed out. And I was in nursing school. Like I said- I spent eight years in school, changed my major three times, and enrolled at three different schools. It shouldn't have taken me that long. I should have bunkered down, and actually did my stuff. Instead I skipped classes to spend time with a boy, went out drinking the night before big tests, and so on. I seriously regret how much time and money was actually lost on my stupidity.

5 // I don't want to say that my son is a regret, but I wish I would have waited to have a baby until I was actually finished with school.

My husband and I were married in September 2009, and I found out I was pregnant in Jan 2010. We talked about having a baby, but not until I was finished with school. Sure, I had made the decision to go off of birth control the week after we married, but I really didn't think that I would have become pregnant less than four months after that decision. I finally graduated with my bachelors in May 2012. My son was a year and three months. Yes, I had an excellent support system, but it was hard working, trying to go to school, and mothering a tiny human at the same time.

I know I just made it seem like I regret going to college... I don't. Sure, if I had just gotten a good paying job with my HS Diploma, ten years later I probably would be more financially stable and not avoiding student loan shark phone calls, but I definitely wouldn't be in the job I am now (you have to have a bachelors to work there). Then again, everything happens for a reason, right? Maybe I will land that awesome job that requires use of my master's degree. Heck, maybe I will go back to school and get my journalism degree- I'm a pretty good writer. Or maybe I will go to law school one day. The possibilities are endless in this life.

My wish for you is that you follow your heart and your gut. It's ok to not go to college. I've known several people that have gone into trades and they are super happy. Heck, I know people that have gone to work in a bank, and now they are one of the higher ups. If you think that college is just not for you or worth applying your self to, then don't do it. Do have the regret of something that you actually didn't have the heart for linger over you for the next fifty years. Because that would really suck.

As promised, I wanted to share my brand new linkup announcement with you....

I've been talking about hosting my very own link up for awhile... but I didn't know what exactly I wanted people to link up with me. So after some searching.... the Images of Happy link up was born. I love the idea behind photography, and I love that so much emotion can be captured in one Instagram photo. I want to give people a place to share their happy photos with others and show that there are happy things in life. A reminder to just breathe and take in life's little moments.

The Images of Happy link up will go live at 7am central time, every Third Tuesday of the month. And the first one will be Tuesday January 20. Tentatively the dates for the linky with be Febuary 17, March 17 (I know it's St. Patty's Day), April 21, and May 19.

The Images of Happy link up rules:

1 // Post as many photos as you want that make you happy. You can post one or post ten- it doesn't matter. As long as it makes you happy, then it's good :)

2 // Add a small description as to why the photo/photos make you happy.

3 // Either grab the button (I will be making it before and it will be included ont he post) and add it to your post, or link back so everyone can visit the other linker-uppers.

4 // Visit other participants and leave some genuine heartfelt comments. Not mandatory, but would be much appreciated.

5 // Come back every third Tuesday and share your Images of Happy.

An example of an Images of Happy post, and the one that started it all, can be viewed here :)

Gosh, I am so with you on the debt thing. I did the same thing at a young age and racked up some nice payments on credit cards for things that I no longer even owned or wore...yep, mostly I bought clothes with my visa! When I lost my job all those cards went into default. They've only recently fallen off and my credit is still pretty sucky

I think it's a part of life for a guy to screw it up for us. Mine was letting a boy talk me out of the military. He's married now to someone else with 3 kids. I would be 12 years into a 20 year commitment and 8 years from a monthly retirement check. I can't even begin to tell you what that one cost me.

I had the idea to go into the Navy at one point. Same thing- a guy talked me out of it. It's hard to listen to someone that tells you to do your own thing, when you believe that the guy is going to be in your life forever.

Hey chica! Another great post! My credit cards are for sure one of my biggest regrets. Also, not taking school so seriously (just like you). I guess I got where I needed to be? I have several regrets right now in my life, but hey that is life. I have put your link up in my planner. Very excited!

Oh man - student loan debt and credit card debt...I firmly believe that THIS type of financial planning should be taught in high school. Economics are important but isn't it critical that 18 year olds understand how to budget their money, and the effects of high interest rates? I think so!

Thanks hun! I think that financial independence and how to pay for college should be classes in high school. Either that or the state should grant a 4 yr scholarship- regardless of income level- to every graduating senior with a 3.0.

It should! At 18, you think you know everything and then you get to college and think that you are going to be able to play the $700 a month loan payments once you graduate and get that $100,000 a year job. But it hardly ever pans out that way.

Hey! I'm Tabitha. I am fueled by Dr. Pepper, sarcasm, cute puppies, dry shampoo & bobby pins. I love pretty things, I am one note book away from owning an office supply store, and I have a tendency/ need to wear flip flops all year round. Welcome to my place!